Sophie Price: 'Katie is vulnerable'

Sophie Price has defended her sister's behaviour since her split from Peter Andre, arguing that she has chosen to do her grieving "behind closed doors".

The glamour model's sister said that she first noticed cracks in the couple's relationship a year ago and claimed that Katie had shed her tears before the split was made public.

"Kate doesn't cry very often, she just goes quiet. I know when she's at her most upset because she doesn't say anything," Sophie told Love It magazine. "Then I'll know something or someone has pushed her too far.

"And when she does cry, it'll upset me that this strong beautiful woman is so hurt she is in floods of tears. I just throw my arms around her and try and comfort her even if I don't know what to say."

She continued: "It was a year ago when I first noticed cracks were appearing in their marriage. She cried a lot during that time with Pete and that's why there were no tears left once they split up. She'd let them all out in private when the relationship was going funny.

"Kate has been slagged off for appearing emotionless and for not crying in public since their split. But everyone breaks up with people in different ways, and Kate chose to do her grieving behind closed doors. Some girls want to go out, have fun and have a drink after a relationship breaks down to take their mind off it. And that's been Kate's way of dealing with it."

Sophie added: "In many ways, she's a tough girl but in some ways she's not. Kate is very sweet and can be quite vulnerable. She's a lot softer than people think - she might appear hard on the outside, but inside she's a lot softer."